Let consumers sue banks

In a dispute with your bank or credit card issuer, don’t assume you can seek justice by joining other aggrieved customers in a class action lawsuit. You probably surrendered your right to join a group suit when you signed up for your bank account or credit card, though you might not even know it.

This month, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a rule that would prohibit banks, payday lenders, credit card issuers and others from robbing customers of their right to join class actions.